TEMPE, Ariz., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Just days after President Obama's first speech before joint houses of Congress underscored the urgency for education reform and innovation as a solution to helping restore our country's financial future; many of America's key leaders in Hispanic Higher Education are already being called to action.
From March 3rd through March 5th, many of America's best and brightest in the field of academia will unite at AAHHE's annual conference in San Antonio, Texas, to discuss a host of topics that will help U.S. Hispanics have a fair shot in achieving their American Dream; a college or university degree.
These topics, which range from gender issues within the Latina/Latino Education experience, financial aid and student retention, to fundraising in troubled economic times, and preparing Latina leaders for surmounting challenges by creating a personal vision, will help develop a framework for educators who are committed to closing the achievement gap.
"Now more than ever, those of us in the field of academia clearly see ourselves playing a pivotal role in helping change the course of our nation," said Dr. Louis Olivas, president of AAHHE and assistant vice president, Office of the Vice President for Education Partnerships, Arizona State University. "We believe this year's conference is a perfect venue for us to identify and address the issues and barriers that Hispanics face when trying to seek higher education in this country."
As the nation's leading professional organization of Hispanics in higher education, AAHHE has dedicated its efforts to improving higher education and enhancing Hispanic educational aspirations and outcomes.
This year, AAHHE's conference will center its theme on "Soluciones Para El Futuro: Achieving Hispanic Success."
To see a complete list of AAHHE's schedule of events and conference details, please visit http://www.aahhe.org/
On Friday, the Presidents' panel will focus on "Transfer and Success of Latino Students."
The panel will be facilitated by Ricardo Romo, President, University of Texas at San Antonio. Guest speakers will include:
-- Dr. Leonardo de la Garza, Chancellor, Tarrant County College District (TX) -- Dr. Dolores Fernandez, President, Hostos Community College (NY) -- Mildred Garcia, President, California State University, Dominguez Hills (CA) -- Juliet Garcia, President of Texas Brownsville & Texas Southernmost College (TX)
Additionally, on Friday, there will be a plenary session on "Achieving Student Success in the Health Professions." This panel will be facilitated by Francisco Cigarroa, President, University of Texas San Antonio Health Science Center, and will include guest experts Ana F. Abraido-Lanza, Associate Professor, Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Colombia University and Rafael Perez-Escamilla, Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut.
NOTE TO EDITORS AND PRODUCERS:
On Saturday, March 7th, television media will have an opportunity to cover "The Status of Latinos in America: Challenges and Opportunities during AAHHE's final plenary session.
The panel chair and moderator for this plenary session is Henry Cisneros, Chairman and CEO, American City Vista.
Panelists include: -- Aida M. Alvarez, Former Administrator, Small Business Administration -- Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez, Secretary of State, New York. -- Arturo Madrid, Murchison Distinguished Professor of Humanities, Trinity University -- Maria "Cuca" Robledo Montecel, Executive Director, Intercultural Development Research Association, San Antonio, Texas -- Antonio R. "Tony" Sanchez, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Sanchez Oil and Gas Corporation, Laredo, Texas -- Richard Tapia, Mathematician & Professor, Department of Computational and Applied Mathematics, Rice University -- Marta Tienda, Professor in Demographic Studies, Princeton University -- Solomon "Sol" Trujillo, Chief Executive Officer, Telestra, Sydney, Australia -- Ralph de la Vega, President & CEO, AT&T Mobility
To celebrate and recognize the work of Hispanics in higher education and other national leaders, the AAHHE awards program will honor individuals at a special luncheon on Saturday at the national conference. Awards are provided in the areas of Leadership in Higher Education, Research/Teaching in Higher Education, Service/Teaching in Higher Education, Outstanding Support of Hispanic Issues in Higher Education, Fine or Performing Arts, and Literary Arts or Publications.
AAHHE is pleased to recognize State Farm Insurance Companies(R), PepsiCo, Nordstrom, ConAgra Foods(R), Southwest Airlines(R), The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, The College Board, Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, ETS, TG and Anheuser Busch for their unyielding commitment to higher education.
For more information on the conference or to register, please visit http://www.aahhe.org/ or call Dr. Olivas at 602-496-1150.
About AAHHE: The American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) is a national, educational, IRS-approved 501(c)3, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of higher education. AAHHE is an agent of change for improving education, thus enabling Hispanic students to fully participate in a diverse society.
AAHHE upholds two critical beliefs: 1) That higher education should address the needs of Hispanics, and 2) That institutions of higher education can be more effective in meeting the needs of a changing U.S. demography.
For more information, go to: http://www.aahhe.org/ Rationale:
Major demographic changes are affecting the American landscape. In particular, the Hispanic population constitutes the largest "minority" population. At the same time, Hispanics are still underrepresented in all segments of higher education, with only 2.8% of all full-time faculty and administrators being Hispanic. State Farm
Web Site: http://www.aahhe.org/
